Cooking in Cape Town

I felt just like a celebrity, and couldn't resist doing the royal wave...

The phone rang."Ms Liedeman? This is City Slickers Limousines, you have won our Facebook competition!" I could hardly believe it. Only when the e-mail arrived from the PR manager for Sterling EQ, did I realise that "at the age of 42" I was going to have my first ride in a limousine! Now the challenge was convincing Hubby to tag along for the ride and the show: four ladies playing string instruments isn't every man's cuppa tea... When he said "Yes," I was over the moon!

Immediately the doubts kicked in. The show was taking place on the same night as the Cape Town Carnival. Would traffic in the CBD bea nightmare? Would my wheelchair fit into the limos boot? Would there be someone willing to assist with lifting me into and out of the car? A quick call to City Slickers set my mind at ease, but just a little bit. As a tetraplegic, I have no bladder and bowel movement. An indwelling catheter takes care of the bladder, and a very strict bowel routine ensures that I can live life with no mishaps...most of the time!!! As a rule, routine evenings are spent at home with no visitors. Needless to say, I was a little nervous but decided to take the chance.

After a visit from my hair dresser, time flew by. Since my make-up artist (also my brother) decided that the Carnival would be more fun, there was me, on my back, with my caregiver holding up a mirror and passing the paint and brushes. After an hour, the mask was on, everything from concealer to mascara, and this girl was ready to strut her stuff.

When we arrived at Pigalle restaurant the parking assistant was happy to lend a hand, and of course he was rewarded (I believe in keeping my books open, after all, you never know when you might end up parking there again!!) After a complimentary drink and a quick meet-and-greet, it was off to the waiting limo. Of course, seeing the narrow door opening made me want to spin around and roll right back to my own car! But, lo and behold, I managedto get inside, and my wheelchair just made it into the boot.

We took the scenic route from Cape Town via Houtbay to the Baxter Theatre. With my window down and people staring (and some even waving), I felt just like a celebrity, and couldn't resist doing the royal wave.

Arriving at the Baxter, and with theatre goers watching in awe as we "stepped" out the limo, the feeling of "I can get used to this kinda life" just did not want to go away. Not even struggling to find someone to operate the lift to the restaurant area could put a damper on my spirits. At last we were seated, the lights were dimmed, a ball of smoke arose and, when the lights came back up, four Bond-like girls appeared. The Sterling EQ show had started!

As the final curtain fell I felt like Cinderella with her coach about to turn back into a pumpkin... Fortunately my fairytale continues -I'm still the queen of Hubby's heart!